Pau Gasol Salutes Knicks for Ending 53-Year Championship Drought
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Retired two-time Los Angeles Lakers champion Pau Gasol congratulated the New York Knicks on social media after the franchise captured the 2026 NBA title, its first championship since 1973.
“Congratulations to the @nyknicks on a historical run to win the @NBA championship!” Gasol wrote on X on June 14, adding encouragement for his former team, the San Antonio Spurs.
The Knicks secured the Larry O’Brien Trophy with a 106-99 victory over the Spurs in Game 5 at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on June 13. New York won the series 4-1 despite trailing for more than 70 percent of total game time and facing double-digit deficits in every contest. A comeback from 29 points down in Game 4 proved pivotal, giving the Knicks a 3-1 edge that San Antonio could not overcome.
Guard Jalen Brunson led the closing effort, scoring 45 points on 14-of-27 shooting and 4-of-7 from three-point range in Game 5. He was flanked by veterans Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges, each contributing key moments throughout the Finals.
New York’s title adds to the league’s recent parity, marking the eighth different champion in as many seasons. The Spurs, who eliminated the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, will look to regroup after surrendering multiple late leads in the Finals.
Lakers star LeBron James also weighed in, labeling Hart a “winning player” for his all-around impact during the postseason. Head coach Mike Brown’s group did not drop a game after falling behind 2-1 to the Atlanta Hawks in the opening round until losing Game 3 of the Finals.
With the championship drought finally over, the Knicks head into the offseason as the league’s new measuring stick while contenders aim to prevent a ninth unique champion next year.
Source: LakersNation
